anaesthetic

Everyday

1. A medicine that stops you feeling pain, given by a doctor or dentist before an operation or treatment. tree →
2. A local anaesthetic numbs only one part of the body; a general anaesthetic makes you sleep through the whole operation. tree →
3. (adjective) Causing a loss of feeling: an anaesthetic cream. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life children meet it at the dentist or in hospital; in science and history lessons it shows how medicine made operations safe and painless. Phrases: under anaesthetic, local anaesthetic, general anaesthetic, give an anaesthetic, wear off.

Examples

• The dentist gave me an anaesthetic before filling my tooth. tree →
• She was under general anaesthetic during the operation. tree →
• A local anaesthetic numbed his finger. tree →
• When the anaesthetic wore off, my mouth felt normal again. tree →
• Before anaesthetics, operations were very painful. tree →
• Don't eat until the anaesthetic has worn off, or you may bite your cheek. tree →

Note

Spelling: anaesthetic (UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand), anesthetic (US, Canada). The doctor who gives it is an anaesthetist (UK) or anesthesiologist (US). Do not confuse with "aesthetic" (about beauty).